MARKETS PAUSE AS TRADERS WAIT FOR THE NEXT CATALYST
Markets are taking a breather after this week’s powerful inflation-driven rally. With both CPI and PPI coming in below expectations, investors have largely priced in a more dovish Federal Reserve, shifting their focus toward geopolitics and the sustainability of the recent move.
Bitcoin is struggling to reclaim the $65K level after briefly trading above it, while U.S. equities continue to hold most of this week’s gains. Altcoins remain the strongest area of the crypto market, with capital rotating into high-beta names even as Bitcoin consolidates.
The next few hours will be important. A strong close for U.S. equities together with Bitcoin reclaiming $65K would reinforce the current bullish structure. However, with geopolitical tensions still escalating, traders remain cautious as oil continues to trade near key resistance.
GEOPOLITICAL RISKS KEEP OIL IN FOCUS
Reports indicate Iran has instructed the Houthis to prepare for a full closure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if U.S. strikes target Iranian power infrastructure. Combined with Iran’s ongoing threats surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, simultaneous disruptions to both shipping routes would impact a meaningful share of global energy exports.
OIL PULLS BACK AFTER TESTING $80
On the 1-hour chart, WTI crude is trading around $79.15 after once again testing the $80 resistance zone before pulling back. Despite the intraday weakness, the broader structure remains constructive as geopolitical tensions continue supporting crude prices.
Price remains above its 50 MA ($79.11), 100 MA ($77.57), and 200 MA ($75.13), confirming buyers remain in control of the short-term trend. The $78.62 support level is currently holding after today’s rejection.
A sustained move above $80.48 would strengthen the bullish structure and expose the next major target near $82.33. Conversely, losing $78.62 could trigger a deeper pullback toward $76.55.
GOLD TESTS SUPPORT AS RISK APPETITE RETURNS
On the 1-hour chart, Gold is trading around $4,002 after breaking below its recent consolidation range and testing the $3,980-$3,990 support zone.
Price remains below its 50 MA ($4,045), 100 MA ($4,048), and 200 MA ($4,077), reflecting weaker short-term momentum as investors rotate back into risk assets.
Holding the current support could allow Gold to recover toward $4,048, while a break below the demand zone would expose further downside.
APPLE PUSHES HIGHER ON AI CHIP PLANS
AAPL continues trading near recent highs after reports that the company is exploring acquisitions of AI chip startups to strengthen its AI infrastructure. According to The Information, Apple is seeking to improve its AI server capabilities while reducing reliance on Nvidia-powered cloud infrastructure.
On the daily chart, Apple is trading around $330.25, comfortably above its 9 MA ($317.28) and testing the $330.71 resistance. A breakout would expose the next target near $342.34, while $323.53 becomes the first key support.
CRYPTO CONSOLIDATES AS ALTCOINS OUTPERFORM
Bitcoin is consolidating after this week’s strong rally, but the broader crypto market continues showing strength. While BTC struggles to reclaim $65K, capital continues rotating into higher-beta altcoins, suggesting investors remain willing to take risk despite Bitcoin’s pause.
MARKET POSITIONING REMAINS BALANCED
Positioning data suggests traders remain cautiously optimistic rather than excessively bullish.
Over the past 24 hours, short taker volume totaled $21.78B, slightly exceeding $21.42B in long volume, highlighting that the market remains divided on whether Bitcoin can sustain its recovery.
Sentiment surveys also remain constructive, with 57% of participants identifying as bullish or very bullish. Meanwhile, retail traders remain net long across major exchanges, while institutional positioning appears more cautious, suggesting larger participants are still waiting for confirmation before adding significant exposure.
BITCOIN TESTS $65K AFTER RECENT BREAKOUT
On the 4-hour chart, Bitcoin is trading around $64,400 after failing to hold above the $65K psychological level. The recent breakout has paused, with price now testing whether buyers can reclaim resistance and turn it back into support.
BTC remains above its 100 MA ($62,730) and 200 MA ($62,821), keeping the broader recovery structure intact. The 50 MA ($63,658) is acting as the first dynamic support, while the $64,705 Fibonacci level remains the first resistance.
A decisive break above $65,615 would strengthen bullish momentum and expose the next major target near $67,305. On the downside, the support cluster between $62.7K-$63.0K remains the key level preserving the current recovery.
LIDO LEADS TODAY’S ALTCOIN RALLY
LDO is one of today’s strongest performers, gaining nearly 14% as buyers continue building on yesterday’s breakout.
On the daily chart, LDO is trading around $0.3785, having reclaimed both its 100 MA ($0.3266) and 200 MA ($0.3675) while breaking decisively above the $0.3403 resistance zone.
The next major resistance sits near $0.4310. A successful breakout would confirm a broader trend reversal and expose higher levels, while the reclaimed 200 MA now becomes the first major support.
ONDO SURGES ON DTCC TOKENIZATION MILESTONE
It is outperforming after announcing the launch of the first tokenized stock representations based on DTCC tokenized entitlements, joining the DTCC Tokenization Service alongside BlackRock, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Nasdaq, and the NYSE.
On the 4-hour chart, ONDO is trading around $0.386, reclaiming its 50 MA ($0.3260), 100 MA ($0.3266), and 200 MA ($0.3326) before breaking above $0.3490. Price is now testing the $0.3922 resistance. A breakout would expose the next target near $0.4324, while the reclaimed moving averages now provide strong support.
PYTH CONTINUES BUILDING MOMENTUM
Currently extending its recovery after reclaiming all three major daily moving averages. On the daily chart, PYTH is trading around $0.0514, holding above its 50 MA ($0.0388), 100 MA ($0.0429), and 200 MA ($0.0476).
Price is now testing the $0.0524 resistance level. A confirmed breakout would expose the next major target near $0.0630, while the reclaimed 200 MA now acts as the first key support.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Can Bitcoin reclaim and hold above $65K?
- Can oil remain below $80 despite rising geopolitical tensions?
- Will diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran gain traction?
- Can the ongoing altcoin rotation continue while Bitcoin consolidates?
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